By Kids for Kids Co. Announces Winners of Maryland 'Cool School Tools' Invention Challenge
School kids honored for inventiveness and creativity in statewide contest.
Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 15, 2006 -- By Kids For Kids Co., "BKFK" is pleased to announce the winners of the BKFK-Maryland "Cool School Tools" Inventor Challenge. The winners were celebrated at a live press conference during "BKFK Kid Inventor Day" at Camden Yards on Friday May 12. The school children then threw out the first pitch of the game and took a bow on the field under the Baltimore blue skies right before the Orioles beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in front of a crowd of over 30,000 fans.
The 2006 "Cool School Tools" winners are:
Eric Birckelbaw for his "Recording Folder." - Eric is a second grader at Rolling Knolls Elementary School in Annapolis, MD. The "Recording Folder" is a school folder featuring a built-in microphone kids can use to record their homework assignments or other important school notes. No more excuses like "I forgot to write it down!"
Caitlyn Evans for her "Eraselet." - Caitlyn is a second grader at Malcolm Elementary School in Waldorf, MD. To create the "Eraselet" Caitlin ran an elastic band through a pink eraser and added beads that spelled out ERASELET. Now not only are kids' accessories fashionable, they are functional too.
Brenda Santiago for her "Eye Paper." - Brenda is a fourth grader at William Paca Elementary School in Baltimore, MD. Inspired by a schoolmate who is blind, Brenda created "Eye Paper," which is simply paper with raised lines to help visually impaired students know where to write. The paper can also be scented. This gives kids with visual impairments more independence in the classroom, allowing them to write on ordinary-sized school paper.
Emily Staudmyer for her "School For Pencils." - Emily is a third grader at Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School in Waldorf, MD. The "School for Pencils" is a pencil holder that mounts to the classroom wall and holds pencils for the entire class. The "School For Pencils" is shaped like a house made of pencils. This solves the problem of kids not having a pencil -- each morning kids pick up a pencil on their way into the class and return it to the "School for Pencils" at the end of the day.
"What an exciting day! It's like a kid's version of the hit show American Inventor come to life! I am proud and duly impressed by the creativity and brain power of Maryland's youth. We congratulate the winners of the Cool School Tools Challenge for their unique, innovative and marketable inventions," said Norman Goldstein, Founder and CEO of By Kids For Kids Co.
Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools, commenting on the awards said: "I am delighted that Norm Goldstein and the entire team at By Kids For Kids have provided Maryland students the opportunity to participate in this very exciting program. The creative and innovative thinkers receiving awards tonight exhibit the skills students need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments."
These imaginative kids each receive a licensing contract from BKFK, legal support to patent the invention (if patentable), a $1,000 Savings Bond (value at maturity), professional expertise to bring the product to market, and a sponsors' prize package. The winners will also select a teacher or mentor that was instrumental in their invention process to receive a $500 savings bond.
The Maryland Challenge was made possible through the generous support of Presenting sponsors The Baltimore Orioles, St. John Properties and Tessco. Participating sponsors include the Baltimore Ravens, The Daily Record, and Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLC.
The Cool School Tools Challenge culminates a fully integrated educational initiative launched by BKFK for the state of Maryland. The first phase was the statewide launch of the BKFK Inventive Thinking program on Sept. 22, 2005. The program provided a "Toolkit," designed to assist educators in teaching inventive thinking skills throughout Maryland's school system and is also downloadable free of charge at www.bkfk.com/teachers. The competition provided an opportunity for kids to take their ideas from the classroom and create inventions which could end up on the retail shelves in stores across the country.
BKFK hopes to launch similar initiatives in other states across America.
About By Kids For Kids
By Kids For Kids Co., a closely held corporation based in Stamford, Conn., is the leading integrated marketing, branding and licensing company in America dedicated to making kids' ideas a reality. Their mission is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all kids. In addition to providing free support and educational resources to America's children, BKFK provides entrepreneurial experiences for young inventors and supports the entire ideation through commercialization process. By Kids For Kids represents some of the most brilliant young minds in America.
For more information about By Kids For Kids, visit www.bkfk.com
Press Contact:
Justin Wolf (203) 321-1258
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